16.4.2009

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 87/14

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Publication of an amendment application pursuant to Article 6(2) of Council Regulation (EC) No 510/2006 on the protection of geographical indications and designations of origin for agricultural products and foodstuffs

2009/C 87/06

This publication confers the right to object to the amendment application pursuant to Article 7 of Council Regulation (EC) No 510/2006 (1). Statements of objection must reach the Commission within six months from the date of this publication.

AMENDMENT APPLICATION

COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 510/2006

Amendment application pursuant to Article 9

‘PARMIGIANO REGGIANO’

EC No: IT-PDO-0317-0016-26.7.2007

PGI ( ) PDO ( X )

1.   Heading in the specification affected by the amendment:

—		Name of product
—		Description
—		Geographical area
—		Proof of origin
—		Method of production
—		Link
—		Labelling
—		National requirements
—		Other (to be specified)

2.   Type of change:

—		Amendment to single document or summary sheet
—		Amendment to specification of registered PDO or PGI for which neither the single document nor the summary sheet has been published
—		Amendment to specification that requires no amendment to the published single document (Article 9(3) of Regulation (EC) No 510/2006)
—		Temporary amendment to specification resulting from imposition of obligatory sanitary or phytosanitary measures by the public authorities (Article 9(4) of Regulation (EC) No 510/2006)

3.   Amendment(s):

3.1.   Description

The characteristics of the finished product are described in greater detail.

The feeding methods for the cattle producing the milk used to manufacture Parmigiano Reggiano PDO cheese are described in greater detail in order to make clear what elements are subject to checking.

3.2.   Method of production

The dairy cattle feeding stuffs which are permitted and those which are prohibited are specified.

To prevent any risk of contamination of the farm environment, including via the soil or fodder, keeping silage of any type on the farm holding is also prohibited. It is specified that, where applicable, meat animals should be reared at different premises and kept separate from the dairy animals.

Specifications relating to the dimensions and use of the vats have been introduced, stipulating the application of established traditional practices so as to conserve the artisanal character of the cheese making and the link with the local land. There has been the introduction of the option of re-using 15 % of the dairy vats for a second cheese-making process prompted by the specific technical and operational conditions in place in the Parmigiano-Reggiano PDO production area. This new option is meant to address the problem of increased bovine milk production evidenced by the statistics, enabling dairies to make use of the increased volumes of milk produced without having to install new vats or other structures. This 15 % of vats corresponds to the average maximum increase in milk production.

Reference to hot brand marking was removed since, under the regulations in force, open flames are not permitted in maturing warehouses.

3.3.   Labelling

To ensure authenticity and the correct identification of pre-packaged, grated or portioned ‘Parmigiano Reggiano’ cheese placed on the market, a specification has been introduced for the label: the mandatory presence of the distinctive trademark comprising, in the top part, the image of a segment and a wheel of ‘Parmigiano Reggiano’ cheese next to a knife and, at the bottom, the words ‘PARMIGIANO REGGIANO’.

This precludes the need for the wording ‘Parmigiano Reggiano o CFPR’ on the casein nameplate. Removing this element makes it possible to use other formulas, such as ‘Consorzio del Formaggio Parmigiano Reggiano’ or the collective mark.

The expression ‘prima stagionatura’ (first maturing) is introduced as equivalent to ‘seconda categoria’ (second class) or ‘mezzano’ (semi-mature).

3.4.   National requirements

A reference to the Prime Ministerial Decree (DPCM) of 4.11.1991, which was already in force and applicable, is introduced into the cheese manufacturing standard.

3.5.   Other

It is specifically provided that portioning and packaging must be carried out in the area of origin for the purposes of quality and traceability. In accordance with the guidance given by the Court of Justice in its judgment in Cases C-66/00 and C-469/00, for consumer protection purposes, only packaging carried out in the area of origin is deemed able to guarantee the authenticity of pre-packaged portioned ‘Parmigiano Reggiano’ cheese placed on the market. This is based on the fact that the marks identifying the product, namely the marks showing origin and selection that were present on the whole cheese, are missing from portions which have no crust and are not clear on many portions with a crust; the principle is based on the need not to compromise the guarantee of authenticity of the pre-packaged product and to ensure it is completely traceable. In terms of quality, cutting into the cheese wheel deprives the cheese of the excellent natural barrier provided by the highly-dehydrated crust insulating it against the ambient air. The crust thus protects the cheese against the risks of dehydration, oxidisation, sweating, melting of lipids and the spreading of mould. To avoid such irreversible effects, it is essential that, once the wheel of cheese has been cut open, the portions should be placed under vacuum or in conditioned air according to clearly defined procedures and under the supervision of specialist staff.

SINGLE DOCUMENT

COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 510/2006

‘PARMIGIANO REGGIANO’

EC No: IT-PDO-0317-0016-26.7.2007

PGI ( ) PDO ( X )

1.   Name:

‘Parmigiano Reggiano’

2.   Member State or Third Country:

Italy

3.   Description of the agricultural product or foodstuff:

3.1.   Type of product (Annex II)

Class 1.3.

Cheeses

3.2.   Description of the product to which the name in (1) applies

‘Parmigiano Reggiano’ is a hard cheese made from raw cow's milk, partially skimmed by natural surface skimming. The milk must not undergo any heat treatment and must come from cows fed primarily on fodder obtained in the area of origin. It must be matured for at least 12 months. ‘Parmigiano Reggiano’ can be sold on the market as a whole cheese, portions or grated.

‘Parmigiano Reggiano’ shall have the following characteristics:

—	cylindrical in form with a slightly convex or virtually straight heel, with flat faces with a slightly raised edge,

—	dimensions: diameter of the flat faces 35 to 45 cm, heel height 20 to 26 cm,

—	minimum weight of each wheel of cheese: 30 kg,

—	external appearance: crust of a natural straw colour,

—	thickness of the crust: approximately 6 mm,

—	colour of the body of the cheese: between light straw-coloured and straw-coloured,

—	characteristic aroma and taste: fragrant, delicate, flavoursome but not pungent,

—	texture of the body of the cheese: fine grained, flaky,

—	fat content per dry matter: 32 % minimum.

3.3.   Raw materials (for processed products only)

Cow's milk, salt, calf rennet.

The milk comes from cows reared in the defined geographical area.

The use of additives is not permitted.

3.4.   Feed (for products of animal origin only)

The cows are fed primarily on fodder from the defined geographical area, specified by quantity and quality.

At least 75 % of the dry matter of the fodder must be produced within the geographical area.

Feeding stuffs may make up at most 50 % by weight of the dry matter of the animal food.

The use of silage of any kind is prohibited.

3.5.   Specific steps in production that must take place in the identified geographical area

The farms rearing the dairy cows whose milk is to be processed into ‘Parmigiano Reggiano’ are located within the defined geographical area.

The milk must be produced and processed within the defined geographical area. The milk obtained from the evening milking and the morning milking is delivered in whole raw state to the dairy, in line with production specifications. The milk from the morning milking is placed in copper vats and mixed with that from the evening milking, partially skimmed by natural surface skimming. Native whey is added to the milk. The use of selected starters is not permitted. Following coagulation, obtained exclusively by the use of calf whey, the curd is broken up and cooked. After sedimentation, the cheese mass is transferred to the appropriate moulds to form the wheels. Markings are then affixed. After several days, the wheels are immersed in brine and then matured for a period of at least 12 months.

The minimum 12-month maturing must be carried out in the defined geographical area.

After the minimum maturing period, tests are carried out to check compliance with production specifications.

3.6.   Specific rules concerning slicing, grating, packaging, etc.

‘Parmigiano Reggiano’ can be sold on the market as a whole cheese, portions or grated.

For the sake of consumer protection, in order to guarantee the authenticity of pre-packaged, grated or portioned ‘Parmigiano Reggiano’ placed on the market, the grating, portioning and subsequent packaging operations must be carried out in the defined geographical area. This is required because the marks identifying ‘Parmigiano Reggiano’ on the whole cheese are lost or not visible on the grated or portioned product, making it necessary to guarantee the origin of the pre-packaged product. It is also required because of the need to guarantee that the cheese is packaged quickly after portioning using appropriate methods to prevent the cheese being dehydrated, oxidised or losing its original ‘Parmigiano Reggiano’ organoleptic characteristics. Cutting into the cheese wheel deprives the cheese of the natural protection provided by the crust which, being itself highly dehydrated, insulates the cheese very well against the ambient air.

Portions of ‘Parmigiano Reggiano’ may be packaged in the year in which they are prepared.

Only the whole cheese bearing the protected designation of origin (PDO) ‘Parmigiano Reggiano’ may be grated; it must be packaged immediately afterwards, without any processing or addition of substances likely to modify its conservation properties or original organoleptic characteristics.

3.7.   Specific rules concerning labelling

The identification marks on each wheel of ‘Parmigiano Reggiano’ cheese comprise the words ‘Parmigiano Reggiano’ next to the registration number of the dairy and the year and month of production stencilled onto the surface of the heel, the oval stamp with the words ‘Parmigiano Reggiano Consorzio Tutela’, and a casein nameplate showing the codes identifying the mould and, where appropriate, the mark identifying a second class cheese.

The identification mark for pre-packaged, grated and portioned ‘Parmigiano Reggiano’ cheese placed on the market comprises, in the top part, the image of a segment and a wheel of ‘Parmigiano Reggiano’ cheese next to a knife and, at the bottom, the words ‘PARMIGIANO REGGIANO’. This mark, which is a mandatory component of the label, must be reproduced in accordance with the technical specifications defined by the consortium in the relevant agreement.

4.   Concise definition of the geographical area

The defined geographical area comprises the territories of the Provinces of Bologna to the left of the Reno River, Mantua to the right of the River Po, Modena, Parma and Reggio in the Emilia Region.

5.   Link with the geographical area

5.1.   Specificity of the geographical area

In terms of the natural factors involved, particular attention should be drawn to the soil characteristics of the land within the defined geographical area, extending from the Appenine ridge to the Po, in combination with climate conditions which have a direct influence on both the composition of the natural flora and the specific fermentation characteristics of the product. In human terms, in addition to the historic relevance of the cheese in the local economy, it should be noted that the complex operations to which ‘Parmigiano Reggiano’ cheese is subjected are the fruit of traditional cheese-making techniques established over the centuries in this production area and faithfully handed down as consistent local practices.

5.2.   Specificity of the product

The specific characteristics of ‘Parmigiano Reggiano’ cheese are the structure of the body of the cheese, fine grained and flaky, the fragrant aroma and delicate taste, which is flavoursome without being pungent, and its high level of solubility and digestibility.

These characteristics stem from the specific features of and selection criteria applied to the milk used raw on a daily basis in copper vats, coagulated with calf rennet with a high chymosin content, from the curing in saturated brine and prolonged maturation period.

5.3.   Causal link between the geographical area and the quality or characteristics of the product (for PDO) or a specific quality, the reputation or other characteristic of the product (for PGI)

The peculiar physical, chemical and microbiological properties of the milk which ensure the specific characteristics and quality of ‘Parmigiano Reggiano’ cheese are basically due to the manner in which the dairy cows are fed, on a basis of fodder from the original area, strictly excluding the use of silage of any kind.

The minimum twelve-month maturing period, carried out within the geographical area defined by virtue of its specific climatic conditions is a necessary phase in order to ensure that the product obtained from the processing of the milk can acquire, through particular enzyme processes, the characteristics proper to a ‘Parmigiano Reggiano’ cheese.

Reference to publication of the specification:

(Article 5(7) of Regulation (EC) No 510/2006)

The full text of the product specification is available:

—	at the following website: www.politicheagricole.it/DocumentiPubblicazioni/Search_Documenti_Elenco.htm?txtTipoDocumento=Disciplinare%20in%20esame%20UE&txtDocArgomento=Prodotti%20di%20Qualit%E0>Prodotti%20Dop,%20Igp%20e%20Stg or:

—	by going directly to the home page of the Ministry (www.politicheagricole.it) and clicking on ‘Prodotti di Qualità’ (on the left of the screen) and finally on ‘Disciplinari di Produzione all’esame dell’UE (Reg CE 510/2006)’.

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(1)  OJ L 93, 31.3.2006, p. 12.

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